BOGOTA: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday started his visit to Colombia by meeting the Indian community in Bogota and shared with them India’s transformation into “New India” and its global implications.
“Started my visit to Colombia by meeting the Indian community in Bogota. Shared with them the transformation underway in India and its global implications. Underlined how the world is recognizing the capabilities and contributions of a New India,” he tweeted. Jaishankar also highlighted the leadership skills of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted his work for the welfare and confidence of Indians abroad.
“Spoke of how much Modi Sarkar has done for the welfare and confidence of Indians abroad. India’s image in foreign countries is significantly shaped by the community. I will be engaging my Colombian counterparts tomorrow, appreciating how much they have strengthened our standing,” tweeted Jaishankar.
Jaishankar is an official visit to Guyana (April 21-23), Panama (April 24-25), Colombia (April 25-27) and Dominican Republic (April 27-29). This is his first visit to these countries as EAM.
Jaishankar’s Colombia visit would be the first Foreign Ministerial level visit to the country. He would be meeting several top representatives of the Government, business and civil society. Foreign Minister of Colombia Alvaro Leyva Duran and EAM would review the bilateral ties.
EAM’s visit to these four countries; his bilateral engagements and interactions with counterparts of important regional groups: CARICOM and SICA, adds to the momentum of the India-Latin American countries engagements.
It will provide an opportunity to continue high-level contacts with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and explore new areas of cooperation in a whole host of areas; particularly in the post-pandemic scenario, read the Ministry of External Affairs press release.
The Central American Integration System (SICA) is the institutional framework of Regional Integration in Central America, created by the States of Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Subsequently, Belize and the Dominican Republic joined as full members. SICA’s Secretariat is located in the Republic of El Salvador.
At the fourth India-SICA Foreign Ministers Meeting, Jaishankar highlighted “energy and food security” as the “two most immediate global challenges that the South faces.” He also brought attention to the declaration by the UN of the International Year of Millets.
“We believe that a substantial expansion of global production of millets has the potential to address food security on a lasting basis, not just food security but also nutritional security because it is a good source of iron, vitamins and micronutrients. Millets have been part of our tradition for many centuries and certainly the world would be better served if we were to revive that,” he said.
Speaking on the Indian diaspora, he said, “This community today forms a very effective bridge between us and we certainly appreciate very much the space and the role, and the opportunities for the contribution that you have given to this community.”
Jaishankar also emphasized on new India that seeks to partner with the SICA.
“An India that is a digital deliverer, that is an enthusiast of startups, that is a pharmacy of the world, that is a growing manufacturing power, that is a climate leader and that is a science and technology partner. Our motto for the G20 is “One Earth, One Family, One Future” and the same spirit we bring to the SICA deliberations,” he said. (ANI)
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